2006 Honda Pilot Consumer Reviews

Safety ratings won me over

Written by: GR on 10/21/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV 4WD w/Leather, Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I bought my Pilot just 5 months ago with 42,000 miles on it. It lacked some of the exterior style elements of the competition, but the interior features seem to fit our lifestyle better. The determining factor was the safety rating. This vehicle won out, hands down! Lucky for me, because last week I totaled my poor Pilot. This vehicle did exactly what it was supposed to do. Protect the occupants. My car's front end was totally smashed, the hood was folded nearly as high as the roof and I was protected in the cab. Other than bruises from the restraints and air bag deployment I am fine and totally amazed. So now the painful part, finding another one.

Favorite Features

Cargo/seating flexibility, cup holders accessibility of power ports, heated seats, height, very easy to get in and out, and the view! MPG could better but not bad, we averaged about 18mpg.

Suggested Improvements

Biggest beef, towing! You have to have components added to the engine in order to tow anything! I don't recall that finding in my first research. So if you're hoping to tow the 3500 lbs the vehicle's rated for, plan on spending about $1200 to get the equipment added.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Our first SUV

Written by: KR on 10/07/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV 4WD w/Leather, Navigation System (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Pilot 2006 is our first SUV. We bought it brand new and put 40K on it and it is as reliable and dependable as it was on day 1. I love the way they equipped it with very cheap maintenance. We get family over a lot and Pilot hauls up to seven adults with no compromise on performance. Leather quality and color, touch screen navigation, very comfortable seats, roomy and classy.

Favorite Features

The look. :) Once I was driving through a drive thru and someone asked me if it was a Land Rover. Comfort, heavy smooth ride, low maintenance including regular gasoline.

Suggested Improvements

Better fuel economy, full size spare, all wheel drive vs old technology 4WD, powered passenger seat, dual climate control, noise reduction in cabin, hands free blue tooth compatibility, MP3 capability, ipod AUX, HID xenons and LEDs.

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Love My Pilot

Written by: Leann on 10/07/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV w/Leather (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I purchased my 2006 Pilot new and never have had any service work done! I love my Pilot. Very nice ride.

Favorite Features

dependable, roomy, heated seats

Suggested Improvements

Noisy tires on highway.

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Bought Pilot over Highlander

Written by: Castaway on 09/06/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV 4WD w/Leather, Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We had leased a Highlander and opted to not purchase at lease end in favor of the Pilot. We could not be happier. Definitely a better ride due to the weight of vehicle. Can't complain about the gas mileage, very good for this mid size SUV. Vehicle now has around 50,000 (21,000 from us). Used the 4wd this winter and it performs extremely well. Engine is very quiet. Make sure the VTM fluid is changed regularly. Overall a very nice vehicle.

Favorite Features

DVD system, Leather Seats, 4wd system

Suggested Improvements

Absolutely terrible stock radio/speaker system. Could use a little more leg room with front seat.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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No Surprises... It's a Honda!

Written by: Pilot_4A_Pilot on 08/29/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Having owned Hondas in the past, it came as no surprise that our Honda Pilot would be a great, solid and reliable mode of transportation. We wanted a dependable vehicle that would be large enough to hold 5, plus our large German Shepherd dog, yet still be fuel efficient and able to get us through the snowy Wisconsin winters. No Surprises. And no regrets!

Favorite Features

Drives like a well put together car, as opposed to a truck. It's spacious, and has good visibility.

Suggested Improvements

This vehicle did not come with the cross bars that would make the roof rack functional. Come on, Honda. Sure, the bars probably cut down on gas mileage, but the rack is useless without the crossbars. Dual zone A/C should be a standard feature. Very un- Honda-like not to think of occupant comfort.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Better Than the Envoy

Written by: jdah3 on 07/26/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV w/Leather, Navigation System (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Traded 2004 Envoy for my Pilot. So far, pretty good. Nothing has gone wrong that affects performance, anyway. Been to the dealer for clips in front seats (seat backs were squeaking). Brakes grinding and sound horrible, but told "They're fine, they're just not Honda". Passenger R side of seat doesn't heat. I still feel good getting behind the wheel. Feels very solid, sure, and safe. No issues with leather as others have had. No engine or transmission problems. Radio/nav work beautifully.

Favorite Features

Color. Roominess. Comfort. Number of cup holders. Third row is actually usable. Quality of leather. Touchscreen radio and navigation system. Backup camera. Six disc changer. Sunroof. Number of power outlets. Hidden storage in back. Ease of handling.

Suggested Improvements

Road noise horrible. Rough ride. Why did they not heat the whole passenger seat and make it pwr like the driver's side? Dual climate should be standard. Move wiper control. My husband and I hit it when shifting and it sprays. Power up/down hatch. Auto on/off headlights.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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From CR-V to Pilot

Written by: Dan on 05/25/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I just recently brought a Pilot and I love everything about this vehicle because of more space and comfort. I went from CRV to Pilot which was a huge upgrade. The CRV was a great small SUV but wanted something bigger for hauling things for my small business and to tow a camper trailer. It also gets great gas mileage for the sizes of the vehicle and been getting 21 and 22 mpg in town and a little highway mixed. Can't wait to drive it longer on the highway and see if it gets 26 mpg. It looks similar to the CRV but it's nicer inside and outside and it drives quiet and rides softer than the CRV.

Favorite Features

Seats are more comfortable than most cars. I like the VCM type of engine for improved fuel economy. A 5 speed auto which helps on fuel savings and most other SUV are 4 speed auto. Easy to drive and like seeing the ECO light come on to save fuel and it's letting you know not to push the gas hard.

Suggested Improvements

Really there is no improvement necessary - the 2009 pilot it pretty much the same but it looks a little different. Maybe a new 6 or 7 speed auto in the future for better gas mileage.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Drop it, you lose it

Written by: Joey N on 05/05/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV 4WD w/Leather (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Love my 2006 Pilot. It goes when I go. Only major drawback I have is there is no room to collect your crumbs and coins when they drop to your side. My vacuum wand just isn't thin enough.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Everything I expected and a little more

Written by: Lakerhater on 04/22/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Already had 58000 miles when we brought it. Love the power. Good getup and go. Have four kids and they like the dvd system. Not factory. A nice looking SUV. Is a little loud on concrete roads. But not bad. Like the safety, three row side air bags. 5 star ratings. Safety is a big selling point for me and my family!

Favorite Features

5 star ratings, power, plenty of room for the kids. And two dogs. Good gas mileage for a SUV.

Suggested Improvements

Maybe a little less road noise.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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So Far So Good

Written by: Pat M on 04/17/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV w/Leather (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Leased in June 2006. So far so good. Very reliable. Only oil change maintenance. No major problems or repair work. Except for a bad back speaker that the service dept said there was nothing wrong with...it still isn't fixed. Currently deciding if I should purchase after lease ends July 2009.

Favorite Features

Seat heaters, roomy interior, 3rd seat fold down, sunroof, leather seats. Easy to drive and has great visibility.

Suggested Improvements

Headlights are too low and dim. Some controls are oddly placed, such as cruise control and sunroof switches. Cold have better gas mileage. Wish it had better radio system. Interior finish is lackluster. Road noise.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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